Network: ABC, Netflix
Episodes: 53 (hour)
Seasons: Three
TV show dates: September 21, 2016 — June 7, 2019
Series status: Cancelled by ABC, Revived by Netflix, Cancelled by Netflix
Performers include: Kiefer Sutherland, Natascha McElhone, Adan Canto, Italia Ricci, LaMonica Garrett, Tanner Buchanan, Kal Penn, and Maggie Q.
TV show description:
This political thriller series follows what happens when an unlikely person becomes the leader of the free world.
Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) is a lower-level Cabinet member, the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He’s the “designated survivor” to the current administration, an individual in the presidential line of succession who is at a distant and secure location when the President and the country’s other top leaders are gathered at a single location.
On the night of the State of the Union address, an unprecedented attack claims the lives of the President and all other members of the Cabinet. Kirkman is immediately sworn in as President, unaware that the attack is just the beginning of what is to come.
He struggles to keep the country and his own family from falling apart — while navigating the highly-volatile political arena and leading the search to find who is responsible for the attack.
Seth Wright (Kal Penn) is Kirkman’s speechwriter and he has strong doubts about his boss’ abilities to lead the nation. FBI agent Hannah Wells (Maggie Q) investigates the attack and believes that there’s more to come from the perpetrators. She clashes with FBI Deputy Director Jason Atwood (Malik Yoba).
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Aaron Shore (Adan Canto) advises the new President following the attack.
A career military man, Admiral Chernow (Mykelti Williamson) is the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who becomes one of the new President’s most trusted advisors. Emily Rhodes (Italia Ricci) is Kirkman’s former Chief of Staff and a close friend of his family.
Kirkman’s wife is EEOC attorney Alex Kirkman (Natascha McElhone) and their children are teenager Leo (Tanner Buchanan) and young daughter Penny (Mckenna Grace). Mike Ritter (LaMonica Garrett) is Kirkman’s Secret Service agent who’s charged with protecting the family following the attack.
Episode #53 — #truthorconsequences
On election day, Kirkman turns to his therapist to assuage his conscience about the events — and his own decisions — of the momentous prior 36 hours.
First aired: June 7, 2019.
What do you think? Do you like the Designated Survivor TV show? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a fourth season?
renew the show. A Great Show.
renew renew !!! Best Show of The Year!!!
I didn’t start watching until after the mid season break. Binge watched over a week to catch up….now…hooked!!
One of the most exciting, nail-biting, who’s the bad guy series we’ve ever seen. And so very well written! It has to be renewed, please!!!
This should definitely be renewed! One of the best series on Netflix at the moment!
Best show on TV. Please renew.
It is a very exciting show. Renew, renew, renew
Renew
I think it’s one of the best new shows that has been on for a long time. Love it immensely, please don’t cancel it.
I love this show, please don’t cancel it, one of the best out there.
Excellent show with great acting and writing. Needs to be continued!!!
It gives everyone pause. The series should be continued.
I couldn’t wait for this show to start. I knew I was going to love it! Can’t wait for it to start back up. Love Keifer and the entire cast.
Designated Survivor is a hit at our house. Great writing and acting. I just don’t trust network TV. Why don’t they do what AMC does with their shows and replay them all in one day? It worked when NBC did it with “This is Us”. I let all my friends know to watch it when they replayed the show thus far!
I’ve loved this show from the start. It’s an amazing cast, and the writing constantly makes me want more. I hate it when the hour flies by and the program is over way too soon! This is quality TV.